TotalEnergies Invests $141 Million in Namibian Suppliers to Boost Local Participation in Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
TotalEnergies has spent more than US$141 million on local goods and services in Namibia since 2022, as the energy major intensifies efforts to expand local participation in the country’s fast-growing oil and gas sector.
The investment reflects a broader push to strengthen domestic supply chains and ensure Namibian businesses benefit from the development of offshore energy resources.
Speaking at an upstream oil and gas local suppliers workshop, TotalEnergies’ Lead for Contracts, Procurement, Engineering and Local Content, Veronica Mungonena, said the company has significantly increased engagement with local businesses as exploration and development activities accelerate.
She noted that the number of direct suppliers working with the company has grown from just eight to 62 over the period, with a strong emphasis on partnering with majority Namibian-owned enterprises.
“To date, we have spent over US$141 million on local goods and services, and approximately 10 percent of our total expenditure has been directed toward local suppliers. We are making a deliberate effort to ensure that Namibian businesses are part of this journey,” Mungonena said.
Supplier development remains a central pillar of TotalEnergies’ local content strategy, with the company continuing to identify opportunities for Namibian firms to participate in its operational value chain.
The approach is designed to build sustainable local capacity as the country positions itself as a new frontier in global oil and gas production.
However, Mungonena cautioned that entry into the oil and gas value chain requires strict adherence to international industry standards.
Companies seeking contracts must demonstrate strong performance in key areas such as safety management, technical capability, regulatory compliance, and operational reliability.
These requirements are particularly critical for offshore operations, where projects are conducted in complex and high-risk environments far from shore, demanding specialised expertise and robust safety systems.
She also encouraged local businesses to focus on developing clear areas of specialization rather than attempting to provide a wide range of services without sufficient technical capacity. Building deep expertise in targeted sectors, she said, will be essential for improving competitiveness and securing long-term contracts within the industry.
Mungonena added that TotalEnergies has actively engaged with business communities through industry conferences, supplier outreach programmes, and capacity-building workshops aimed at preparing local companies for participation in the sector.
Further targeted engagements are planned in specialised service areas such as waste management and transportation, sectors expected to play a critical role in supporting offshore oil and gas operations as Namibia’s energy industry continues to expand.
